Puzzle-cut on puzzle-cut seamed belts

ABSTRACT

Seamed belts having puzzle-cut seam with edges that are themselves puzzle-cut: puzzle-cut on puzzle-cut seamed belts. Such belts beneficially may take the form of imageable seam intermediate transfer belts such as those used in marking machines. Belts are formed from a substrate having a puzzle-cut first end and a puzzle-cut second end that interlock to form a seam. That first end includes puzzle-cut tabs that have puzzle-cut edges and the second end includes puzzle-cut tabs that also have puzzle-cut edges. The first end and the second end interlock such that the puzzle tabs and the puzzle-cut edges mate to form the seam. Beneficially an adhesive is disposed over the seam. If the seamed belt is an imageable seam intermediate transfer belt the substrate is beneficially semiconductive.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to puzzle-cut seamed belts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electrophotographic printing is a well-known and commonly used method ofcopying or printing documents. Electrophotographic printing is performedby exposing a light image representation of a desired document onto asubstantially uniformly charged photoreceptor. In response to that lightimage the photoreceptor discharges, creating an electrostatic latentimage of the desired document on the photoreceptor's surface. Toner isthen deposited onto that latent image, forming a toner image. The tonerimage is then transferred from the photoreceptor onto a receivingsubstrate such as a sheet of paper. The transferred toner image is thenfused with the substrate, usually using heat and/or pressure. Thesurface of the photoreceptor is then cleaned of residual developingmaterial and recharged in preparation for the production of anotherimage.

The foregoing generally describes black and white electrophotographicprinting machines. Electrophotographic printing can also produce colorimages by repeating the above process for each color of toner that isused to make the color image. For example, the photoreceptive surfacemay be exposed to a light image that represents a first color, sayblack. The resultant electrostatic latent image can then be developedwith black toner particles to produce a black toner layer that issubsequently transferred onto a receiving substrate. The process canthen be repeated or a second color, say yellow, then for a third color,say magenta, and finally for a fourth color, say cyan. When the tonerlayers are placed in superimposed registration the desired compositecolor toner image is formed and fused on the receiving substrate.

The color printing process described above superimposes the color tonerlayers directly onto a substrate. Other electrophotographic printingsystems use intermediate transfer belts. In such systems successivetoner layers are electrostatically transferred in superimposedregistration from the photoreceptor onto an intermediate transfer belt.Only after the composite toner image is formed on the intermediatetransfer belt is that image transferred and fused onto the substrate.Indeed, some electrophotographic printing systems use multipleintermediate transfer belts, transferring toner to and from belts asrequired to fulfill the requirements of the machine's overallarchitecture.

In operation, an intermediate transfer belt is brought into contact witha toner image-bearing member such as a photoreceptor belt. In thecontact zone an electrostatic field generating device such as acorotron, a bias transfer roller, a bias blade, or the like createselectrostatic fields that transfer toner onto the intermediate transferbelt. Subsequently, the intermediate transfer belt is brought intocontact with a receiver. A similar electrostatic field generating devicethen transfers toner from the intermediate transfer belt to thereceiver. Depending on the system, a receiver can be anotherintermediate transfer member or a substrate onto which the toner willeventually be fixed. In either case the control of the electrostaticfields in and near the transfer zone is a significant factor in tonertransfer.

Intermediate transfer belts often take the form of seamed beltsfabricated by fastening two ends of a web material together, such as bywelding, sewing, wiring, stapling, or gluing. While seamlessintermediate transfer belts are possible, they require manufacturingprocesses that make them much more expensive than similar seamedintermediate transfer belts. This is particularly true when theintermediate transfer belt is long. While seamed intermediate transferbelts are relatively low in cost, the seam introduces a discontinuitythat interferes with the electrical, thermal, and mechanical propertiesof the belt. While it is possible to synchronize a printer's operationwith the motion of the intermediate transfer belt so that tone is notelectrostatically transferred onto the seam, such synchronization addsto the printer's expense and complexity, resulting in loss ofproductivity. Additionally, sine high speed electrophotographic printerstypically produce images on paper sheets that are cut from a paper“web,” if the seam is avoided the resulting unused portion of the paperweb must be cut-out, producing waste. Furthermore, even withsynchronization the mechanical problems related to the discontinuity,such as excessive cleaner wear and mechanical vibrations, still exist.However, because of the numerous difficulties with transferring toneronto and off of a seamed intermediate transfer belt in the prior art itwas necessary to avoid toner transfer onto (and thus off of) a seam.

Acceptable intermediate transfer belts require sufficient seam strengthto achieve a desired operating life. While that life depends on thespecific application, typically it will be at least 100,000 operatingcycles, but more preferably 1,000,000 cycles. Considering that a seamedintermediate transfer belt suffers mechanical stresses from belttension, traveling over rollers, moving through transfer nips, andpassing through cleaning systems, achieving such a long operating lifeis not trivial. Thus the conflicting constraints of long life andlimited topographical size at the seam places a premium on adhesivestrength and good seam construction.

A prior art “puzzle-cut” approach to seamed belts significantly improvesthe seam's mechanical strength. U.S. Pat. No. 5,514,436, issued May 7,1996, entitled, “Puzzle Cut Seamed Belt;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,193entitled “Endless Seamed Belt with Low Thickness Differential Betweenthe Seam and the Rest of the Belt;” and U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,707, issuedJan. 30, 1996, entitled “Puzzle Cut Seamed Belt With Bonding BetweenAdjacent Surface By UV Cured Adhesive” teach the puzzle-cut approach.While the puzzle-cuts described in the forgoing patents beneficiallyimprove the seam's strength, further improvements would be beneficial.Furthermore, there are other difficulties when transferring toner ontoand off of a seam of a seamed intermediate transfer belt.

For a seamed intermediate belt to be acceptable, the final imageproduced from across the seam must be comparable in quality to imagesformed across the remainder of the belt. This is a difficult task due toa number of interrelated factors. Some of those factors relate to thefact that the seam should not greatly impact the electrostatic fieldsused to transfer toner. However, electrostatic transfer fields arethemselves dependent on the electrical properties of the intermediatetransfer belt. While this dependency is complex, briefly there areconditions where transfer fields are very sensitive to the resistivityand thickness of the materials used for the various layers of theintermediate transfer belt. Under other conditions the electrostatictransfer fields are relatively insensitive to those factors. Similarly,there are conditions where the electrostatic transfer fields are verysensitive to the dielectric constants of the materials used for thelayers of the intermediate transfer belt, and other conditions where theelectrostatic transfer fields are insensitive to the dielectricconstants. Therefore, to successfully transfer toner onto and off of aseamed intermediate transfer belt the electrical properties across andaround the seam should be carefully controlled to produce a properrelationship with the remainder of the belt. Since the electricalproperties depend on the interrelated factors of seam geometry, seamconstruction (such as adhesive beyond the seam), seam topology, seamthickness, the presence of an overcoating, and various other factorsthose factors should be taken into consideration for a givenapplication.

In addition to mechanical strength and electrical compatibilitydifficulties, there are other problems when transferring toner onto andoff of a seam. For example, with most prior art seamed intermediatetransfer belts relatively poor cleaning around the seam was acceptable.However, if toner is being transferred onto and off of the seam regionthe seam must be properly cleaned. Thus, the toner release and frictionproperties across the seam region have to be comparable to those of therest of the belt. Furthermore, most prior art seamed intermediatetransfer belts have a significant “step” where the belt overlaps to formthe seam. That step can be as large as 25 microns. Such a stepsignificantly interferes with transfer and cleaning. Thus if toner istransferred onto and off of the seam, the seam's friction, tonerrelease, and topography are much more constrained than those of otherseamed intermediate transfer belts. Furthermore, while the step of apuzzle-cut seamed belt is relatively small, belt tension can causeindividual puzzle-cut petal to separate and lift from around neighboringpetal. Such lifting introduces localized steps that interfere withblade-based belt cleaners. Such interference can seriously degrade beltand cleaner blade life.

From above it can be seen that a seam's topography is very important ifone wants to transfer toner onto and off of a seam region withoutsignificant degradation of the final image. The seam topography includesnot only the seam itself, but also any overflow of the adhesive used inthe seam. This overflow can occur on both the toner-bearing side and thebackside of the belt. Adhesive overflow is important because the beltseam strength can depend on that overflow. However, excessive overflowincreases various mechanical, electrical, and xerographic problems.Furthermore, the adhesive's electrical properties remain important.

More information regarding the requirements of imageable seamintermediate transfer belts can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,245,402,entitled “Imageable Seam Intermediate Transfer Belt Having An Overcoat,”by Edward L. Schlueter, Jr. et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 6,261,659,entitled “Imageable Seam Intermediate Transfer Belt,” by Gerald M.Fletcher et al., both filed on Dec. 14, 1999. Those patent documentsdiscuss, among other things, “short-wavelength” and “long-wavelength”spatial disturbances, conformable overcoats, Paschen air breakdown,transfer nip air gaps, suitable electrical properties, material layers,material compositions, environmental and aging concerns, cleaning,surface friction, and “set point control” approaches to enable widertolerances in electrical properties.

The present invention is specifically related to a technique ofimproving a seam's mechanical properties without significantly degradingthe other desirable properties of the belt, particularly when that beltis an imageable seam intermediate transfer belt. As previouslyindicated, prior art puzzle-cut seams have shown to be useful inproducing a strong belt seam. At least part of this strength is due toan increased seam surface area and at least part is due to an improveddistribution of lateral forces. However, prior art puzzle-cut seamsmight not be optimal in particular applications. For example, whenparticularly rugged belts are required a further increase in belt seamsurface area and a further increase in the distribution of lateralforces would be beneficial.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The principles of the present invention provide for puzzle-cut seamedbelts in which the puzzle-cut edges themselves are puzzle-cut:puzzle-cut on puzzle-cut. Such seamed belts may be imageable seamintermediate transfer belts that are used in marking machines. A seamedbelt according to the present invention includes a substrate having apuzzle-cut first end and a puzzle-cut second end that interlock to forma seam. The first end includes puzzle-cut tabs that have puzzle-cutedges and the second end includes puzzle-cut tabs that also havepuzzle-cut edges. The first end and the second end are interlocked suchthat the puzzle tabs and the puzzle-cut edges interlock to form theseam. Beneficially, an adhesive is disposed over the seam. If the seamedbelt is an imageable seam intermediate transfer belt the substrate isbeneficially semiconductive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features of the present invention will become apparent as thefollowing description proceeds and upon reference to the drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is an isometric representation of a puzzle-cut seamedintermediate transfer belt;

FIG. 2 is a close-up, top down view of puzzle-cut tab patterns that arein accord with the present invention and that are used in the belt ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows one of the puzzle-cut tabs shown in FIG. 2 interlocked witha matching edge;

FIG. 4 shows the puzzle-cut tab of FIG. 3 with the kerf filled with anadhesive;

FIG. 5 illustrates an electrophotographic printing machine that uses aseamed intermediate transfer belt that is in accord with the principlesof the present invention; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a more detailed view of part of theelectrophotographic printing machine illustrated in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the principles of the present invention are described below inconnection with an imageable seam intermediate transfer belt, and withan electrophotographic marking machine that uses such a belt, it shouldbe understood that the present invention is not limited to thoseembodiments. On the contrary, the present invention is intended to coverall alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be includedwithin the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

An imageable seam intermediate transfer belt 8 that is in accord withthe principles of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. Thatbelt includes a semiconductive substrate layer 10 that has its endsjoined together to form a continuous belt using mechanically interlocked“puzzle-cut” tabs that form a seam 11. Reference U.S. Pat. Nos.5,487,707; 5,514,436; 5,549,193; and 5,721,032 for additionalinformation on puzzle-cut patterns. Typically the seam 11 is about{fraction (1/4 )} inch wide.

The substrate layer 10 can be made from a number of different materials,including polyesters, polyurethanes, polyimides, polyvinyl chlorides,polyolefins (such as polyethylene and polypropylene) and/or polyamides(such as nylon), polycarbonates, or acrylics, or blends or aloys of suchmaterials. If required, the selected material is modified by theaddition of an appropriate filler such that the substrate layer has adesired electrical conductivity. Appropriate fillers can include forexample carbon, Accufluor® fluorinated carbon black, and/or polyanaline,polythiophene or other conductive fillers or polymers. Donor salts canalso be used. The substrate layer material should have the physicalcharacteristics appropriate to an intermediate transfer application,including good tensile strength (Young's modulus, typically 1×10³ to1×10⁶ Newton's/m², resistivity (typically less than 10 ¹³ ohm cm volumeresistivity, greater than 10⁸ ohms/square lateral resistivity), thermalconductivity, thermal stability, flex strength, and high temperaturelongevity. See the previously referenced U.S. Pat. No. 6,245,402,entitled “Imageable Seam Intermediate Transfer Belt Having An Overcoat,”by Edward L. Schlueter, Jr. et al., and Serial No. 6,261,659, entitled“Imageable Seam Intermediate Transfer Belt,” by Gerald M. Fletcher etal., both filed on Dec. 14, 1999.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of a puzzle-cut tab pattern that is in accordwith the principles of the present invention in more detail. The tabsare located on the ends of the substrate. Each tab is comprised of aneck 14 and a node 16. The shape of the tabs define female interlockingportions 15. Furthermore, the outer edge of each end further definepuzzle-cut tabs with necks 18, nodes 19, and female interlockingportions 21. Prior art puzzle-cut seamed belts generally used smoothedges that defined the tabs. Significant advantages of the presentinvention include additional mating surface areas and improveddistributions of mechanical stresses. The tabs interlock, reduce stressconcentrations between the interlocking elements, and permit easy travelaround curved members, such as rollers 12 shown in FIG. 1. Thepuzzle-cut tabs may be formed using any conventional shaping technique,such as die cutting, or cutting wheels, or laser cutting, specificallyusing a laser micro-machining system.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the puzzle-cut tabs of FIG. 2 interlockedtogether. Physically interlocking the puzzle-cut tabs may requirepressure when mating. Interlocking produces a gap between the mutuallymating elements that is called a kerf 20. The gap arises because of thedifference between the necks 18/ nodes 19 and the female interlockingportions 21. As shown in FIG. 4 the interlocking tabs are held togetherusing an adhesive 22 that fills the kerf. The adhesive is designed to bephysically, chemically, thermally, mechanically, and electricallycompatible with the substrate layer material. Seams with a 25 micronkerf have been typical for the puzzle-cut seam while a kerf less thanabout 5 microns is generally preferred. Significantly, the adhesive andthe puzzle-cut tabs act together to create a strong seam. Ideally theseam should be strong, smooth, and mechanically uniform.

The adhesive should have a viscosity such that it readily wicks into thekerf. Additionally, the surface energy of the adhesive should becompatible with the substrate layer material such that the adhesiveadequately wets and spreads. Furthermore, the adhesive should remainflexible and should adhere well to the substrate layer material.Finally, the adhesive also should have low shrinkage during curing. Asan example, the adhesive can be a hot melt adhesive that is heated andpressed into the seam such that the adhesive is flattened, making it asmechanically uniform as possible with the substrate layer 10.Alternatively, the adhesive can be an epoxy-like material, a UV curableadhesives including acrylic epoxies, polyvinyl butyrals, or the like.Further, the “adhesive” can be substantially the substrate materialitself, either applied during a separate adhesive application step orelse by melting the two ends sufficiently to cause adhesion of themutually mating elements. Finally, the adhesives may be electricallymodified as required for the particular application. Following theapplication of the adhesive the seam 11 can be finished by buffing,sanding, or micro polishing to achieve a smooth topography.

The relative electrical properties of the adhesive and the substrate arevery important because they significantly affect the transfercharacteristics of the resulting seam as compared to the transfercharacteristics of the rest of the belt. Therefore, the adhesive shouldproduce a seam that has electrical properties that corresponds to thatof the substrate layer. That is, under operating conditions a seamshould create an electrostatic transfer field in the toner transferzones that is within at least 20%, preferably within 10%, of theelectrostatic transfer field that is present for the remainder of thebelt. Ideally the seam electrical properties are substantially the sameas the substrate layer and have substantially the same electricalproperty dependence as the substrate on all important factors, suchenvironment, applied field, and aging. However, significant differencesin electrical properties can be allowed for some imageable seamconditions as discussed subsequently. The adhesive electrical propertiescan be met by mixing fillers or additives with an adhesive. For example,an adhesive might contain silver, indium tin oxide, Cul, SnO2, TCNQ,Quinoline, carbon black, NiO and/or ionic complexes such as quaternaryammonium salts, metal oxides, graphite, or like conductive fillers andconductive polymers such as polyanaline and polythiophenes.

An electrophotographic marking machine 100 that makes beneficial use ofthe imageable seam intermediate transfer belt 8 is illustrated in FIGS.5 and 6. With reference to those figures the electrostatographic printer100 includes the imageable seam intermediate transfer belt 8, which isdriven over guide rollers 114, 116, 118, and 120. The imageable seamintermediate transfer belt 8 moves in a process direction shown by thearrow B. For purposes of discussion, the imageable seam intermediatetransfer belt includes sections that will be referred to as toner areas.A toner area is that part of the intermediate transfer belt thatreceives actions from the various stations positioned around theimageable seam intermediate transfer belt. While the imageable seamintermediate transfer belt may have multiple toner areas each toner areais processed in the same way.

A toner area is moved past a set of four toner image stations 122, 124,126, and 128. Each toner image station operates to place a unique colortoner image on the toner image of the imageable seam intermediatetransfer belt 8. Each toner image producing station operates in the samemanner to form developed toner image for transfer to the imageable seamintermediate transfer belt.

While the image producing stations 122, 124, 126, 128 are described interms of photoreceptive systems, they may also be ionographic systems orother marking systems that form developed toner images. Each toner imageproducing station 122, 124, 126, 128 has an image bearing member 130.The image bearing member 130 is a drum supporting a photoreceptor 121(see FIG. 6).

Turn now to FIG. 6, which shows an exemplary toner image producingstation. That image bearing station generically represents each of thetoner image producing station 122, 124, 126, 128. As shown, thephotoreceptor 121 is uniformly charged at a charging station 132. Thecharging station is of well-known construction, having charge generationdevices such as corotrons or scorotrons for distribution of an evencharge on the surface of the image bearing member. An exposure station134 exposes the charged photoreceptor 121 in an image-wise fashion toform an electrostatic latent image on an image area. The image area isthat part of the image bearing member which receives the variousprocesses by the stations positioned around the image bearing member130. The image bearing member may have multiple image areas; however,each image area is processed in the same way.

The exposure station 134 preferably has a laser emitting a modulatedlaser beam. The exposure station then raster scans the modulated laserbeam onto the charged image area. The exposure station 134 canalternately employ LED arrays or other arrangements known in the art togenerate a light image representation that is projected onto the imagearea of the photoreceptor 121. The exposure station 134 exposes a lightimage representation of one color component of a composite color imageonto the image area to form a first electrostatic latent image. Each ofthe toner image producing stations 25 122, 124, 126, 128 will form anelectrostatic latent image corresponding to a particular color componentof a composite color image.

The exposed image area is then advanced to a development station 136.The developer station 136 has a developer corresponding to the colorcomponent of the composite color image. Typically, therefore, individualtoner image producing stations 122, 124, 126, and 128 will individuallydevelop the cyan, magenta, yellow, and black that make up a typicalcomposite color image. Additional toner image producing stations can beprovided for additional or alternate colors including highlight colorsor other custom colors. Therefore, each of the toner image producingstations 122, 124, 126, 128 develops a component toner image fortransfer to the toner area of the imageable seam intermediate transferbelt 8. The developer station 136 preferably develops the latent imagewith a charged dry toner powder to form the developed component tonerimage. The developer can employ a magnetic toner brush or otherwell-known development arrangements.

The image area having the component toner image then advances to thepre-transfer station 138. The pre-transfer station 138 preferably has apre-transfer charging device to charge the component toner image and toachieve some leveling of the surface voltage above the photoreceptor 121to improve transfer of the component image from the image bearing member130 to the imageable seamed intermediate transfer member 8.Alternatively the pre-transfer station 138 can use a pre-transfer lightto level the surface voltage above the photoreceptor 121. Furthermore,this can be used in cooperation with a pre-transfer charging device.

The image area then advances to a transfer nip 140 defined between theimage bearing member 130 and the imageable seam intermediate transferbelt 8. The image bearing member 130 and imageable seam intermediatetransfer belt are synchronized such that each has substantially the samelinear velocity at the first transfer nip 140. The component toner imageis then electrostatically transferred from the image bearing member 130to the imageable seam intermediate transfer belt by use of a fieldgeneration station 142. The field generation station 142 is preferably abias roller that is electrically biased to create sufficientelectrostatic fields of a polarity opposite that of the component tonerimage to thereby transfer the component toner image to the imageableseam intermediate transfer belt. Alternatively the field generationstation can be a corona device or other various types of fieldgeneration systems known in the art. A pre-nip transfer blade 144mechanically biases the imageable seam intermediate transfer belt 8against the image bearing member 130 for improved transfer of thecomponent toner image. After transfer of the component toner image, theimage bearing member 130 then continues to move the image area past apre-clean station 139. The pre-clean station employs a pre-cleancorotron to condition the toner charge and the charge of thephotoreceptor 121 to enable improved cleaning of the image area. Theimage area then further advances to a cleaning station 141. The cleaningstation 141 removes the residual toner or debris from the image area.The cleaning station 141 preferably has blades to wipe the residualtoner particles from the image area. Alternately the cleaning station141 can employ an electrostatic brush cleaner or other well-knowcleaning systems. The operation of the cleaning station 141 completesthe toner image production for each of the toner image producingstations.

Turning back to FIG. 5, the individual toner image producing stations122, 124, 126, and 128 each transfer their toner images onto theimageable seam intermediate transfer belt 8. A first component tonerimage is advanced onto the imageable seam intermediate transfer belt atthe transfer nip of the image producing station 122. Prior to the tonerarea arriving at that transfer nip the toner area is uniformly chargedby a conditioning station 146. This reduces the impact of any stray, lowor oppositely charged toner that might result in back transfer of tonerinto the image producing station 122. Such a conditioning station ispositioned before each transfer nip.

The toner images from the individual toner image producing stations 122,124, 126, and 128 are transferred such that the images, are registered.That is, each of the individual color component images are transferredonto the imageable seam intermediate transfer belt 8 such that the humaneyes perceives a desired composite color image.

Turning now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the imageable seam intermediate transferbelt 8 then transports the composite toner image to a pre-transfercharge conditioning station 152 that levels the charges at the tonerarea of the imageable seam intermediate transfer belt and prepares themfor transfer to a transfuse member 150. The pre-transfer chargeconditioning station 152 is preferably a scorotron. A second transfernip 148 is defined between the imageable seam intermediate transfer belt8 and the transfuse member 150. A field generation station 142 and apre- transfer nip blade 144 engage the imageable seam intermediatetransfer belt and perform similar functions as the field generationstations 142 and pre-transfer blades 144 adjacent the transfer nips 140.The composite toner image is then transferred electrostatically onto thetransfuse member 150.

The transfer of the composite toner image at the second transfer nip 148can be heat assisted if the temperature of the transfuse member 150 ismaintained at a sufficiently high optimized level and the temperature ofthe imageable seam intermediate transfer belt 8 is maintained at aconsiderably lower optimized level prior to the second transfer nip 148.The mechanism for heat assisted transfer is thought to be softening ofthe composite toner image during the dwell time of contact of the tonerin the second transfer nip 148. This composite toner softening resultsin increased adhesion of the composite toner image toward the transfusemember 150 at the interface between the composite toner image and thetransfuse member. This also results in increased cohesion of the layeredtoner pile of the composite toner image. The temperature on theimageable seam intermediate transfer belt prior to the second transfernip 148 needs to be sufficiently low to avoid too high a toner softeningand too high a resultant adhesion of the toner to the imageable seamintermediate transfer belt. The temperature of the transfuse membershould be considerably higher than the toner softening point prior tothe second transfer nip to insure optimum heat assist in the secondtransfer nip 148. Further, the temperature of the imageable seamintermediate transfer belt 8 just prior to the second transfer nip 148should be considerably lower than the temperature of the transfusemember 150 for optimum transfer in the second transfer nip 148.

Turning now to FIG. 6, the transfuse member 150 is guided in a cyclicalpath by guide rollers 174, 176, 178, 180. Guide rollers 174, 176 aloneor together are preferably heated to heat the transfuse member 150. Theimageable seam intermediate transfer belt 8 and transfuse member 150 arepreferably synchronized to have the generally same velocity in thetransfer nip 148. Additional heating of the transfuse member is providedby a heating station 182. The heating station 182 is preferably formedof infra-red lamps positioned internally to the path defined by thetransfuse member 150. The transfuse member 150 and a pressure roller 184form a third transfer nip 186.

A releasing agent applicator 188 applies a controlled quantity of areleasing material, such as a silicone oil to the surface of thetransfuse member 150. The releasing agent serves to assist in release ofthe composite toner image from the transfuse member 150 in the thirdtransfer nip 186.

The transfuse member 150 preferably has a top most layer formed of amaterial having a low surface energy, for example, silicone elastomer,fluoroelastomers such as Viton™, polytetrafluoroethylene,perfluoralkane, and other fluorinated polymers. The transfuse member 150will preferably have intermediate layers between the top most and backlayers constructed of a Viton™ or silicone with carbon or otherconductivity enhancing additives to achieve the desired electricalproperties. The back layer is preferably a fabric modified to have thedesired electrical properties. Alternatively the back layer can be ametal such as stainless steel.

A substrate 170 is then advanced toward the third transfer nip 186. Thesubstrate 170 is transported and registered by a material feed andregistration system into a substrate pre-heater 173. The substratepre-heater. 173 includes a transport belt that moves the substrate 170over a heated platen. The heated substrate 170 is then directed into thethird transfer nip 186.

At the third transfer nip the composite toner image is transferred andfused to the substrate 170 by heat and pressure to form a completeddocument 172. The document 172 is then directed into a sheet stacker orother well know document handing system (not shown).

A cooling station 166 cools the imageable seam intermediate transferbelt 8 after the second transfer nip 148. A cleaning station 154 engagesthe imageable seam intermediate transfer belt and removes oil, toner ordebris that may be remain onto the imageable seam intermediate transferbelt. The cleaning station 154 is preferably a cleaning blade alone orin combination with an electrostatic brush cleaner, or a cleaning web.

While the foregoing is sufficient to understand the general operation ofelectrophotographic printing machines that use imageable seamintermediate transfer belts, practical systems are somewhat difficult toachieve. This is because imageable seam intermediate transfer belts thatproduce acceptable final images, such as the imageable seam intermediatetransfer belt 8, are subject to numerous electrical and mechanicalconstraints, limitations, and design problems. More detailed discussionsof those constraints, limitations, and design problems are found in U.S.Pat. No. 6,245,402, entitled “Imageable Seam Intermediate Transfer BeltHaving An Overcoat,” in U.S. Pat. No. 6,261,659, entitled “ImageableSeam Intermediate Transfer Belt,” both filed on Dec. 14, 1999, and inU.S. Pat. No. 6,311,036, entitled “Electrophotographic Marking MachineHaving An Imageable Seam Intermediate Transfer Belt,” filed on Aug. 8,2000.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with specificembodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, andvariations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, itis intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications andvariations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appendedclaims.

We claim:
 1. A seamed belt, comprising a substrate having a first endwith puzzle-cut tabs having puzzle-cut edges and a second end withpuzzle-cut tabs having puzzle-cut edges, wherein said first end and saidsecond end mate to form a seam wherein said puzzle-cut tabs and saidpuzzle-cut edges interlock.
 2. A seamed belt according to claim 1,wherein an adhesive is disposed over said seam.
 3. A seamed beltaccording to claim 1 wherein said first and second substrates aresemiconductive.
 4. An imageable seam intermediate transfer belt,comprising a substrate having a first end with puzzle-cut tabs havingpuzzle-cut edges and a second end with puzzle-cut tabs having puzzle-cutedges, wherein said first end and said second end mate to form a seamwherein said puzzle-cut tabs and said puzzle-cut edges interlock.
 5. Animageable seam intermediate transfer belt according to claim 4, whereinan adhesive is disposed over said seam.
 6. An imageable seamintermediate transfer belt according to claim 4, wherein said substrateis semiconductive.
 7. An imageable seam intermediate transfer beltaccording to claim 6, wherein an adhesive is disposed over said seam. 8.An imageable seam intermediate transfer belt according to claim 7,wherein said adhesive is semiconductive.
 9. A marking machine,comprising: a moving photoreceptor belt; a charging station for chargingsaid photoreceptor belt; an imaging station for exposing said chargedphotoreceptor belt so as to produce a latent image; a developer fordepositing toner on said latent image; a transfer station fortransferring said deposited toner onto a substrate, said transferstation including an intermediate transfer belt that receives toner fromsaid charging station; a fuser having a fusing member for receivingtoner from said intermediate transfer belt and for fusing saidtransferred toner to said substrate; and a cleaning station for cleaningsaid photoreceptor; wherein said intermediate transfer belt comprises asubstrate having a first end with puzzle-cut tabs having puzzle-cutedges and a second end with puzzle-cut tabs having puzzle-cut edges,wherein said first end and said second end mate to form a seam whereinsaid puzzle-cut tabs and said puzzle-cut edges interlock.
 10. A markingmachine according to claim 9, wherein an adhesive is disposed over saidseam.
 11. A marking machine according to claim 9, wherein said substrateis semiconductive.
 12. A marking machine according to claim 11, whereinan adhesive is disposed over said seam.
 13. A marking machine accordingto claim 12, wherein said adhesive is semiconductive.
 14. A markingmachine according to claim 9, wherein said fuser is part of atransfusing station.